Protect Yourself Against the Flu

UNH Nursing Students giving flu vaccines to their peers Flu Vaccine Still Available, While Supplies Last! 

Each year, University students get the seasonal flu which may result in missing classes and exams. This virus spreads rapidly among students because of close living conditions, lowered resistance, stress, etc., and campus communities have the potential to face significant epidemics each winter.

Limited Supply of Flu Vaccine Available 

We have a limited supply of the seasonal flu vaccine still available. Please call to make an appointment:

  • Students (603) 862-2856
    Cost:     No charge for students who have paid their mandatory fees (in general, mandatory fees are paid by degree students enrolled for 5 or more credit hours). $25 for students who have not paid their mandatory fees.
  • Employees/Dependents  (603) 862-HLTH (4585)
    Cost:     No out-of-pocket cost to UNH employees and their dependents (age 18 and older) who are Harvard Pilgrim subscribers through UNH who present a valid HPHC card at the clinic.  The claim for the cost of the vaccination ($25) will be processed directly to Harvard Pilgrim. For other employees not insured through the UNH Harvard-Pilgrim employee plan, the $25 is due at the time of vaccination. If you have other health insurance, please bring your insurance ID card if you would like us to submit a claim for you.
  • Please allow 20 minute wait time after receiving the vaccine. If you are away from campus, you can find additional locations to get the flu vacinne near you.

Care of Seasonal Flu

If you're sick, follow these self-care tips

Limit Your Exposure to Others

  • If you already have the flu, we want to encourage you to stay home until you are feeling better. Remain home until 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medications).
  • If you are unable to stay home, please remain in your place of residence (residence hall room, apartment, etc.). You should not go to classes, work, dining halls or participate in social activities.  Avoid close contact with others.
  • Contact your faculty to let them know you are ill. Health Services does not provide doctor’s notes to verify illness or to confirm that students can return to class.

Take Care of Yourself

  • Get plenty of sleep and rest. When your'e awake drink one 8 oz. of clear fluids (water, broth, sports drinks) each hour. 
  • Eat well and ask your friends, family or RA to help you get meals so you that you can rest.
  • If you have a sore throat, gargle with 1/2 tsp. salt in 4 oz. warm water and increase humidity with a vaporizer/humidifier.
  • Consider taking acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. These medications will help to lower a fever and reduce headaches and body aches.  Adolescents should avoid aspirin when they have the flu because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
  • If you have a cough, consider taking medication with an expectorant and cough suppressant. You can also use cough drops or throat lozenges for symptom relief.
  • Remember, the flu is a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics.  Also, antiviral medication is usually not recommended.

You should seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
  • Recurring dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever or worse cough

If you have a chronic health condition and are experiencing influenza-like illness, or, if symptoms worsen, please call (603) 862-2856 when Health Services is open or call (603) 862-WELL when Health Services is closed (after-hours). Also, feel free to call Health Services if you have any questions.

When Health Services is Closed

If you are not feeling well when Health Services is closed, please call (603) 862-WELL (9355) and press 2. You will be automatically connected to the Emergency Room at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH). A nurse will conduct a phone assessment, and make suggestions for additional care options, including a possible visit to the WDH Emergency Department in Dover or the WDH Urgent Care Center in Lee.

Download Self-Care Information

Preventing the Seasonal Flu

Wash Your Hands with Soap and Water

  • You can pick up germs/viruses through shaking hands, touching doorknobs, phones, computers, etc.
  • Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs/viruses.
  • Wash all surfaces of your hands thoroughly (fingers, between fingers, palms, back of hands and wrists) with soap and water.
  • Wash Your Hands 

Cover Your Cough 

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, your elbow or shoulder when coughing or sneezing.
  • Dispose of your tissues properly!
  • Cover Your Cough 

Don't Share 

  • Don’t share towels, eating utensils, toothbrushes, drinking glasses or other items that may spread germs.
  • Even if someone is not sick at the time of sharing, he or she may still be contagious for flu or cold that can develop into symptoms the next day.

Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose or Mouth

  • Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Take Care of Yourself 

  • Eat healthy meals, manage stress, get enough sleep and get your body moving.  

Avoid Close Contact 

  • As much as possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Educate Yourself About the Flu